CYCLE UPDATES AND NOTES
Equipoise
Source: Sasquatch Labs
Dosage: 450mg per week split into 2 shots per week
Elapsed Time: 3.5 weeks out of 14 weeks
Protocol Updates: None
Performance Benefits: I have started to notice significant improvements in endurance and recuperation during the past couple of workouts - this was the first thing I noticed from EQ the last time I ran it so I am attributing the majority of this sudden increase to the EQ. I have been feeling ready to attach each set and I'm feeling like I have more in the tank at the end of my last couple of workouts - I even added in some bis and tris yesterday because I just couldn't get enough and I just wasn't wearing out. I also feel like I am recovering quickly between workouts and have not been getting the level of soreness and fatigue in the muscles I typically do, especially after the heavier squats and deads. Finally, my walks have become even easier but also faster as my muscles are just feeling so fresh and primed for exercise at all times over the past few days.
Aesthetic Benefits: the biggest aesthetic improvement I can tie directly to the introduction of the EQ is increased vascularity throughout all of my muscles but particularly the shoulders, chest, arms, and legs have really gotten vascular this week. I noticed this the last time I ran EQ as well. Other than that, I haven't noticed much that I can tie directly to the EQ but I know that it is definitely playing a role in keeping on the amount of muscle I have been able to keep on as the calories have stayed down over the past few weeks.
Side Effects: I have had some aromatization issues beginning this week and have had to take .5 mg of Adex basically everyday and I added in 20 mg of nolva today because I just haven't been able to fully chase away the water retention. I got a bit lazy with my AI and I am paying the price now trying to catch back up without totally crashing my E levels. Also, my blood pressure went up a bit when I checked in early this week and it was still up when I checked it again today - nothing crazy, 130/85 or so, but definitely something I am going to keep my eye on.
Overall: not much to say that I haven't already said and its too early to make an overall judgment on the effectiveness of the EQ in this cycle so I will reserve a more in depth overall analysis near the end of the cycle.
Oral Turinabol
Source: Sasquatch Labs
Dosage: 50mg per day
Elapsed Time: 3.5 weeks out of 7 weeks
Updates: I have decided to switch the TBol dosage protocol for the final 3.5 weeks simply because I have never taken an oral before and want to experiment with different timing to see if I notice a substantial difference from one to the other. I will now be taking 25mg in the morning and 25mg with my post-workout shake on workout days or 25mg with my last meal on off days instead of all 50mg in the morning.
Performance Benefits: I have had some increases in strength and significant improvements in endurance and recuperation since adding in the TBol, even despite the severe caloric deficit I've been in while taking it. I am constantly holding myself back the past couple of weeks to make sure I am regaining my full strength on the compound exercises because I am recovering between sets much quicker than I am used to. This has also helped with the isolation exercises and weight loss aspect of my program since I am able to move quicker and I can perform super-sets while still ensuring the muscle is giving out instead my cardiovascular system.
Aesthetic Benefits: my muscles have taken on a harder, fuller look than I am used to having on a cut since I am typically quite flat and a little soft looking when my calories and carbs have been this low for this length of time. It has been an awesome experience holding on to the amount of muscle I have during this cut as its really bringing a much more grainy, dense look than I've ever had.
Side Effects: The worst side effect I have had since adding in the TBol has been increased acid reflux; I say increased because I've had GERD for awhile but its been under control for a couple years now thanks to proton pump inhibitors but since adding in the TBol I have had to pop a couple of antacids to keep it down. Also, my blood pressure went up a bit when I first started taking the TBol but it subsided after a few days and my BP was normal until a couple days ago (more on that in the EQ section). The only other negative effect has been WICKED pumps in the lower back and a bit in the calves and shins when I am out for a longer, faster walk but its also been a positive in some cases, particularly when training arms because they just get so full and vascular.
Overall: it has been an AMAZING experience for my first oral steroid and I either picked the right one for me or I just react well to orals. It made nearly immediate changes to my physique and to my performance which has made it a totally different experience , for me, than taking test and injectables in general; it feels much more like a "drug" since there is such a sudden onset of effects. It has definitely made me far less wary about using orals in the future too - I have heard so many stories about feeling toxic, ridiculous liver enzymes, kidney issues, and other horror stories that I was really prepared for the worst so to have such a positive experience has really opened up my mind to including more orals going forward.
Sustanon
Source: Sasquatch Labs
Dosage: 625mg per week split into 2 shots per week
Elapsed Time: 13.5 weeks out of 24 weeks
Protocol Updates: None
Performance Benefits: I don't know if you can beat good ol' Testosterone as THE premier performance enhancer - what can I say that you all don't already know? I am much stronger, I have far more stamina and endurance, and I am recovering far quicker than I ever would without the Test. It's just that simple and that good.
Aesthetic Benefits: Again, very simple. I have far more muscle and, even better, far more full, hard, vascular muscle than I would have without the Test, especially in the midst of a 30 lb. cut.
Side Effects: Recently, most likely due to the addition of the EQ, I have had some aromatization issues beginning this week (more about this in my EQ notes). Also, my blood pressure went up a bit when I checked in early this week but, again, I am thinking this is likely due to the addition of the EQ and TBol more than the Test. Finally, I have had, for my first time, some issues with pimples popping up along my torso. Really no big deal but a new side effect for me and likely due to the fact that I am running BY FAR the most androgenic steroids I ever have.
Overall: not much to say that I haven't said - Test is, and likely always will be, the king of performance enhancers for me. It just does me so much good and I really don't suffer any substantial side effects. I am having another awesome experience with it and am really excited about the progress I've made in both the performance and aesthetic realm.
Overall Analysis
Thus far, this has been a tremendously successful cycle. In terms of performance, I have managed to keep up with the strength progression I had mapped out for my program (its usually very tough for me to do that ESPECIALLY on a cut), I have dropped weight a little quicker than I thought I would, the fat has been coming off in the right places, and I am holding on to the most muscle I have ever had at my current weight (mid-170's). Subjective side effects have been minimal and the first more serious side effect I have had, high BP, just popped up and I believe will be brought back to baseline when I finally get my E, and therefore water retention, under control. I will be able to discuss any other side effects after I get my blood work done in a couple of weeks (I will be getting blood drawn after my 15th week) and I see if there has been any a-symptomatic issues developing.
I hope everybody has been enjoying the log and that these notes/updates provide some more insight into the effects the gear has had on me thus far. Please feel free to comment with any observations, critiques, advices ::Arnold voice::, questions, etc.
Thanks for the support!
-Jack
